Well and pipeline construction

ABSTRACT

An off-shore type oil well has a pipeline or casing extending into a subterranean pool of oil; an inflatable valving member situated serially with the casing is operatively connected to a conduit effective for applying a pressurizing fluid to the valving member for at times accordingly inflating the valving member and terminating flow through the casing; the casing also carries an anchoring assembly in the form of an inflatable tubular member situated on and externally of the casing; additional conduit means are provided for applying a pressurizing fluid to the tubular member to inflate it and cause it to engage the inner surface of the hole formed by the drilling apparatus and thereby anchor the casing against movement relative to the drilled well hole.

United States Patent [1 1 Cushman 1 WELL AND PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION [76] Inventor: Walton W. Cushman, 36483 Gloucester Dr., Frascr, Mich. 48026 221 Filed: Apr. 13,1972

211 App1.N0.:243,570

[52] US. Cl. 166/5, 166/224 [51] Int. Cl E21b 31/00 [58] Field of Search 166/5, .6, 53, 224; 251/1, 5; 137/236 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,861,726 6/1932 Trout 251/1 X 2,590,215 3/1952 Sausa 251/5 X 2,843,349 7/1958 Meyer 25l/l 3,090,591 5/1963 Clarkson... 251/5 3,143,124 8/1964 Todd 251/5 X 3,177,954 4/1965 Rand r 166/.6 X 3,219,118 11/1965 Lewis 166/.6 3,441,245 4/1969 Holland 251/5 3,457,991 7/1969 Sizer et al. 3,494,588 2/1970 Kisling 251/5 1 Nov. 12, 1974 3,543,785 12/1970 Flory 137/236 X 3,643,912 2/1972 Livingston 3,703,213 11/1972 Kammercr 166/224 Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Attorney, Agent, or FirmLon H. Romanski [57] ABSTRACT An off-shore type oil well has a pipeline or casing extending into a subterranean p001 of oil; an inflatable valving member situated serially with the casing is operatively connected to a conduit effective for applying a pressurizing fluid to the valving member for at times 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED um 12 1914 saw 1 or 2 WELL AND PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION In the past gas and oil wells have presented serious safety problems when such wells caught fire. Generally, the only way that the fire can be extinguished is to terminate the further flow of fuel whether it be gas or oil flowing upwardly out of the well. However, in order to so terminate the flow, it often becomes necessary to even dynamite the well thereby damaging the well in the process of extinguishing the flame. Even if the flame is extinguished by such dynamiting, the problem is not entirely solved because oil will still continue to flow thereby adding to the pollution of the environ ment. The risks to human life and property in such situations of well fires is generally well known.

Another major problem has been the anchoring of the well casing to, for example, the layer or layers of rock through which such casing or pipe extends in its path to the material to be pumped such as gas or oil.

According to the prior art, after the drilling apparatus has formed the clearance hole for accommodating the passage of the pipe or casing, the casing would be inserted into the drilled hole and water-setting cements were poured into the space between the hole and the outer surface of the casing. The purpose of such watersetting cements was to anchor the casing against movement relative to the drilled hole. However, quite often such cements failed causing an undesirable downward movement of the casing within the hole.

Accordingly, the invention as herein disclosed and described is primarily directed to the solution of the above as well as other related problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a safety shut-off valve for use in combination with a delivery conduit flowing a selected fluid therthrough, comprises a generally tubularinflatable member situated within said delivery conduit, and means associated with said tubular inflatable member for at times supplying a pressurizing fluid against said tubular inflatable member causing said inflatable member to inflate radially inwardly in order to thereby terminate further flow of said selected fluid through said delivery conduit.

Also, according to the invention, anchoring apparatus for use in combinationwith a delivery conduit flowing a. selected fluid therethrough, comprises a generally tubular inflatable member situated generally about and carried by said delivery conduit externally thereof, and means associated with said tubular inflatable member for at times supplying a pressurizing fluid against said tubular inflatable member causing said inflatable member to inflate radially outwardly in order to thereby abutingly and frictionally engage juxtaposed surface of related support structure for holding said delivery conduit in a selected position relative to said support structure.

Various general and specific objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent when reference is madeto the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS v In the drawings, wherein for purposes of clarity certain details and/or elements may be omitted from one or more views:

FIG. 1 is a simplified side elevational view of an offshore type oil well and derrick with the associated substrata being shown in cross-section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are views similar to a fragmentary portion of FIG. 2 but respectively illustrating different embodiments; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of another portion of the structure of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIG. 1, in simplified form, illustrates an off-shore oil well 10 having a platform 12 with a plurality of supports 14 extending downwardly through, for example, lake or sea water 16, the layer of sand or muck I7 and being anchored into, for example, a layer of bedrock 18. The platform 12, in turn, supports an oil derrick 20 as well as the associated drilling apparatus and easing or pipe assembly 22 which extends downwardly to a pool of oil 24. The pipe line or casing 22 is illustrated as including a shut-off valve assembly 26 and a casing anchoringassembly 28.

FIG. 2 illustrates in enlarged scale and axial crosssection the shut-off valve assembly 26 as comprising a generally cylindrical or tubular outer housing 30 having upper and lower flange portions 32 and 34 adapted for connection as by bolts 36 to cooperating flange portions 38 and 40 of upper and lower disposed pipe or casing sections 42 and 44, respectively.

An elastomeric sleeve 46 is situated generally internally of housing 30 in a manner permitting end portions 4.8 and 50 thereof to be generally contained between flange portions 38, 32 and 34, 40, respectively, so as to be thereby retained. The main body 52 of sleeve 46, when generally fully stretched-in a manner to be described, assumes a position as that generally depicted at 52 b while when in a generallyelaxed state (one wherein the body 52 is not expanded toward the center of housing 30) it assumes a position generally depicted in phantom line at 52 a.

Conduit means 54 has a lower end 56 communicating with said housing 30, so as to be open with respect to whatever space exists between sleeve body 52 and the inner surface of housing 30, and an upper end 58 which is preferably at an elevation above the level of water Operation of Invention There are various specific ways in which the invention may be operated. However, all of such specific means and methods may be generically summarized as providing pressure responsive resiliently expandable valve means within the oil (or fluid flow conduit) along with additional means effective for at times applying a pressure against such expandable valve means as to expand such valve means and terminate further fluid flow therethrough.

During normal operations, body 52 of elastomeric sleeve 46 is in a generally non-inflated state and may, in fact, assume a position as generally depicted in phantom line at 52 a. This, of course, permits the unrestricted upward flow of oil, out of the well or pool 24,

- 3 through casings or pipes 44, 42 and valve assembly 26.

Now, let it be assumed that an emergency has occurred such as, for example, an explosion or fire rendering the usual shut-off means inoperative or inaccessible. In such event, the invention as herein disclosed presents a simple manner whereby such flow of oil can be safely terminated. That is, all that needs to be done is to expand or inflate the sleeve 46 sufficiently to cause the tubular body 52' to assume a position as depicted at 52 b thereby terminating flow therethrough.

Such pressurization or inflation of sleeve 46 may be achieved as by.the use of conduit means 54 for the creation of the pressurization. For example, conduit means 54 may be filled with a solution comprised of sea water and calcium chloride (Ca C1) of a specific gravity sufficient to be capable of expanding the sleeve body In all of the above embodiments it should be obvious that as the tubular valve member expands and the body portion 52 approaches its position as shown at 52 b, the

a resulting space between such body portion 52 and the 52 to its position at 52 b and also capable of developing a static pressure head sufficient to overcome the upward pressure of the oil within the casing 44.

It should be mentioned that the upper or inlet end 58 of conduit means 54 may be located at a distance considerably remote to the platform 12 thereby enabling the shutting off of oil flow from a safe distance away from the oil derrick.

Conduit means 54 need not be filled with such a Ca Cl solution. For example, it may be filled merely with water to a height sufficient to achieve such static pressure heads as are required to attain required inflation of sleeve 46 and overcome the oil pressure within casing 44. This may, in fact, require the extension of conduit 54 as to have the inlet end 58 thereof at a height substantially above the water level 16. However, such would, of course, be dependent upon consideration being given to the relative height of valve assembly 26 and the anticipated oil pressure within casing 44.

FIG. 2, in phantom line, illustrates another method of pressurization. That is, operatively joined to end 58 is asuitable connector 60 the interior of which which, in turn, is in communication with pump means 62 for supplying pressurized air to the top of conduit means 54 via related conduit means 64. If desired, suitable water supply conduitmeans 66 and serially situated valve means 68 may be employed through which, for example, water may be supplied to conduit means 54. After the water thusly supplied to conduit means 54 attains a selected height therein, means 68 (if such is employed is shut and pump 62 then applies an overpressure of air to the water within conduit means 54.

Similarly, FIG. 5 illustrates the conduit means 54 as having its upper end operatively connected to pump means 70 which, in turn, has an inlet as at 72 whereby pump means 70 may fill and conduit 54 with pressurized water taken as, for example, directly from the sea.

FIG. 4 illustrates the conduit means 54 as being comprised of sections, such as 74 and 76, which may be suitably joined to each other as by coupling means 78. Although shown in somewhat simplified or diagrammatic form, the coupling means may in fact comprise a pivotal or swivel type connector permitting the upper conduit section 74 to be rotated about the axis of the lwoer section 76 or to be lowered as, for example, having the upper end 58 swung about the connector 78 as a pivot.

inner surface of housing 30 is filled with the particular pressurizing fluid employed. Further, the riser or conduit means 54 may be made of any suitable material whether it be rigid (such as, for example, steel or aluminum) or elastomeric. Further, the transverse crosssectional flow area of such riser means 54 may be very small since it is the pressure head and not the volume which determines the closing force applied against the valve body 52. Obviously, if all of the pressurizing fluid is to be supplied through the riser means 54, then the transverse cross-sectional flow area thereof will influ ence the time rate in which the valving member 46 will be closed or opened.

In view of the above, it should be accordingly apparent that once the valve member 46 is closed it can again be opened by any of a plurality of methods. For example, if an air pressure is applied to affect valve closure, as by pump means 62 of FIG. 2, all that needs to be done is to release or vent such air pressure as by any suitable valving means or the termination of the application of such air pressure. If the closure of valve member 46 has been achieved by a water pressure head alone in such riser or standpipe 54, then opening of the valve member 46 can be attained as by either pumping some of such water out of the standpipe, allowing some of the water to be drained out (especially where the standpipe 54 extends a substantial distance above the water level 16) or physically lowering the top of the riser or conduit means 54.

Another method of opening the valve member 46 is illustrated by the structure of FIG. 3 which is comprised of air pump means 74 operatively connected to air conduit means 76 which has an end 78 communicating with conduit means 54 at a relatively lower elevation. If the riser 54, in FIG. 3, is filled with pressurizing liquid, such as water, and pump means 74 is activated, air will be forced downwardly through conduit means 76 and through end 78' into riser or standpipe 54 and bubble upwardly in the water within the conduit 54. The air bubbles, because of their volume, displace some of the water causing such displaced water to be forced out of the top 58 of the riser 54. As the air bubbles ascend they of course progressively become larger causing a correspondingly increased displacement of water. The water thusly displaced sufficiently reduces the pressure head allowing the valve member 46 to again open. As has been previously stated, the valving member 46 is flexible and inflatable; further, it is preferred that such sleeve-like member 46' be of elastomeric material such as, for example, apolyurethane. Although the invention is not so limited, it has been determined that materials sold under the trade name of Duromer and Adiprene L-l00 are particularly suited for use in forming the member 46.

In the preferred form of the invention, the inner diameter of housing 30 is significantly larger than the inner diameter of the well casing 42. This provides adequate clearance enabling the frequent up and down passage of the drill head through the valve assembly 26 without attendant damage to the sleeve 46. However, it should be stressed that this is the preferred form. As an alternative, for example, it would be a relatively simple matter to install a cocked steel liner within the sleeve 46 during the drilling operation. Such a cocked steel liner would be spring-retained so that it could be released and retrieved at the time of the last withdrawal of the drilling apparatus.

FIG. 6 illustrates the anchoring device 28 as comprising a generally expandable tubular member 80 situated about the casing 44 in a manner whereby upper and lower ends 82 and 84 of such member 80 are sealingly secured to the outer diameter of casing 44 as by suitable clamping or strap means 86 and 88, respectively.

Conduit means 90, having a lower end 92 in communication with the space generally between the outer diameter of casing 44 and the inner diameter of tubular member 80, defines a riser or standpipe which has an upper end 94 functionally equivalent to the upper or inlet ends of any of the conduit means 54 of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5. The purpose of standpipe 90 is like that of the various risers and/or pressurizing assemblies shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5. It should, therefore, be understood that conduit means 90 is representative of any of such standpipe assemblies of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

As the casing 44 and tubular member 80 secured thereto are lowered into the hole 96 formed in the rock formation 18 by the drilling apparatus, the member 80 is in a non-pressurized condition permitting such member 80 and related conduit means 90 to be received within the confines of the hole 96. When the casing 44 is at its desired depth, the riser means 90 is suitably filled with pressurizing fluid causing the generally medially disposed body portion 98 of tubular member 80 to expand radially outwardly and, as generally depicted, engage the wall of hole 96 thereby anchoring the entire pipe 22 against adverse movement relative to the hole 96. It should be mentioned that in the preferred form, both tubular anchor member 80 and conduit means 90 is of a suitable elastomeric material.

Although the invention herein disclosed has been described with reference to an oil well structure the invention is, of course, not so limited. For example, the shut-off valve means of the invention may be employed in numerous types of pipelines while the anchoring means may be used in such installations as brine wells and the like.

Further, although only a select number of preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described, it is apparent that other embodiments and modifications of the invention are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

I. A safety shut-off valve for use in combination with a delivery conduit flowing a selected fluid therethrough, comprising a unitary one-piece generally tubular inflatable elastomeric member situated within said delivery conduit, said delivery conduit comprising a well casing, a valve housing serially connected to said well casing, said generally tubular member being axially elongated and having a circular configuration when viewed in a cross-sectional plane transverse and normal to the axis of said tubular member, said tubular member having respective axial ends thereof secured to said valve housing as to be thereby anchored against movement relative thereto, means associated with said tubular member for at times supplying a pressurizing fluid against said tubular member causing said tubular member to in flate substantially uniformly radially inwardly in order to thereby terminate further flow of said selected fluid through said delivery conduit, said means associated with said tubular inflatable member comprising fluid pressure transmitting conduit means having one end in communication with a generally annular space defined generally between said tubular member and said valve housing and having an other end elevationally spaced a substantial distance from said one end, said other end serving as an inlet for the introduction therethrough of said pressurizing fluid. said pressurizing fluid being effective upon entering said annular space to resiliently urge said tubular member to resiliently deflect radially inwardly in a manner whereby an inner passage defined by said resiliently deflecting tubular member continues to progressively reduce in cross-sectional area until such time as sufficient closing pressure is applied by said pressurizing fluid against said tubular member causing complete closure of said inner passage, and passage means having an outlet communicating with said conduit means at a point which is at a relatively low elevational level, said passage means being operatively connectable to a source of air under pressure for delivering said air to said conduit means in order to permit said air to form bubbles in said conduit means to displace from said conduit means any liquid contained in said conduit means comprising said pressurizing fluid. 

1. A safety shut-off valve for use in combination with a delivery conduit flowing a selected fluid therethrough, comprising a unitary one-piece generally tubular inflatable elastomeric member situated within said delivery conduit, said delivery conduit comprising a well casing, a valve housing serially connected to said well casing, said generally tubular member being axially elongated and having a circular configuration when viewed in a cross-sectional plane transverse and normal to the axis of said tubular member, said tubular member having respective axial ends thereof secured to said valve housing as to be thereby anchored against movement relative thereto, means associated with said tubular member for at times supplying a pressurizing fluid against said tubular member causing samd tubular member to inflate substantially uniformly radially inwardly in order to thereby terminate further flow of said selected fluid through said delivery conduit, said means associated with said tubular inflatable member comprising fluid pressure transmitting conduit means having one end in communication with a generally annular space defined generally between said tubular member and said valve housing and having an other end elevationally spaced a substantial distance from said one end, said other end serving as an inlet for the introduction therethrough of said pressurizing fluid, said pressurizing fluid being effective upon entering said annular space to resiliently urge said tubular member to resiliently deflect radially inwardly in a manner whereby an inner passage defined by said resiliently deflecting tubular member continues to progressively reduce in cross-sectional area until such time as sufficient closing pressure is applied by said pressurizing fluid against said tubular member causing complete closure of said inner passage, and passage means having an outlet communicating with said conduit means at a point which is at a relatively low elevational level, said passage means being operatively connectable to a source of air under pressure for delivering said air to said conduit means in order to permit said air to form bubbles in said conduit means to displace from said conduit means any liquid contained in said conduit means comprising said pressurizing fluid. 